German tourist killed when hit by tractor, court hears

An 83-year-old German woman died after being struck by a tractor while walking across a pedestrian crossing beside one of the country’s best-known tourist destinations.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, the driver of the tractor, John Boyce (58) of Moyhill, Cratloe, Co Clare, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Inge Schmidt at Low Road, Bunratty, on October 29th 2010.

On the first day of the trial, eyewitness and tour guide Gerard Ryan said he saw Ms Schmidt go under the front two wheels of the tractor as she crossed the pedestrian crossing to enter the Bunratty Folk Park adjacent to Bunratty Castle. Mr Ryan said he had crossed the road with some of the tour group and was looking back at the others when he saw the tractor strike Ms Schmidt. The case continues.